POLITICS
3rd TERM OF PRESIDENT MACKY SALL – Thesis and antithesis on the third term: which Ismaila Madior Fall to rely on?
In recent months, the debate on Macky Sall’s third candidacy has been led by his closest collaborators who are trying to justify it. In this general melee, an authorized voice stands out and attracts attention. This is the Minister of Justice, Ismaila Madior Fall, the same minister who thought and defended the 2016 constitutional reform. To the scientifically supported claims of the legal expert, who said urbi et orbi that the president would end his reign in 2024 if he was re-elected in 2019, come bump a very versatile position of the minister and partisan of the Head of State, who is doing everything in his power to find him arguments to reinvent a reading of the famous article 27 of the Constitution.
If the debate on Macky Sall’s third candidacy had been carried only by the big mouths of the presidential coalition, we could have hoped that the President of the Republic would come out of the big door in 2024, as the Constitution tells him. But when scientists, and even more, when the man who carried the 2016 reform likes to play the game of «neither yes nor no» of his Chief, there is reason to fear for the future of the rule of law and the stability of the country. This becomes all the more unacceptable as Minister Ismaila Madior Fall, then the Head of Justice, had sold the merits of the said reform in that it would make it possible to lock mandates to two, and this clearly. Judging by his dithering, we don’t know which saint to turn to.
To understand the versatility of the minister and Pr, Ismaila Madior Fall, we must go back to his outbursts against President Wade’s third term project. Fiercely opposed to the too many candidacies of Macky Sall’s predecessor, the law professor did not lack arguments to wear the estocade. “I heard President Wade himself say that he had locked down the Constitution and that this meant he could not do a third term. (…) Today, I consider that President Wade cannot hold a third term. Why? Because the statement of the President of the Republic is an important source in constitutional law,” he said in the Grand Jury broadcast of the Radio future media.
Sure of his knowledge, the professor managed to find the reasons for the illegality of Wade’s candidacy, both in the Constitution itself, as well as in the acts and gestures of the former Head of State. The President of the Republic has two qualities that allow him to authenticate the constitutional profile. First, argued Ismaila Madior Fall, he is its guardian. Second, he is its authentic interpreter. If I were a member of the Constitutional Council of Senegal—and I would be very happy if the President consulted me—I would say to him, Mr. President of the Republic, from all the information I have, according to the statement you made, according to my reading of the Constitution, you can’t do a third term,” he added.
On the possible third candidacy of Macky Sall, then Minister of Justice, Ismaila Madior Fall kicked the thesis of his counterparts, especially that of constitutional expert Babacar Guèye. To the latter who warned against a remake of the 2012 situation, the Keeper of the Seals had said, in 2017 on the RFM:” I realize that people do not read the texts. If people continue to say that it is possible for the President to serve a third term, I am thinking that we have not read the texts, including 27 which states very clearly that no one may serve more than two consecutive terms.
For him, there was no doubt that Macky Sall could not run for a third term.” The revision of the constitution is clear. This means that the question of the third mandate will no longer be raised in Senegal’s history. The constitution leaves no room for interpretation: no one may exercise more than two consecutive mandates.” This last sentence, he repeated it more than 3 times, as if to instill the idea in the minds of citizens.
he antithesis of the minister and partisan
Today, that is the exact opposite of the allegations cited by the same man. If he had maintained that Wade was bound by his word, he pretended not to have heard President Sall repeatedly support, in Senegal and abroad, before religious figures including, that his reign would end in 2024. Beyond these ethical and moral considerations, the law defended by Professor Ismaila Madior Fall, under Wade, remains the same and the situation has hardly changed.
However, when Ismaila Madior Fall was questioned in March 2021 on Tfm’s D’clique, he tried to dodge the question and served a response that says everything about him: My status as Minister of State prevents me from expressing myself. Because there is an obligation of reserve that weighs on me. However, it was as Minister of Justice that he personally invested in selling his boss’ reform plan. Why did he not mention the duty to reserve when he repeated over and over again that “no one may serve more than two consecutive terms”?
The greatest contradiction between the lawyer and the minister, who are mistaken for the same physical being, lies in his statement at the beginning of December, when he appeared before members of Parliament to vote on his budget. This opinion does not bear the force of res judicata. Therefore, to the competent court to say the Right, and to the Doctrine to give a scientific opinion,” he defended himself against those who questioned him about his earlier statements.
All this acrobatics on the part of the minister, on an issue as simple as the illegality or at least the immorality of Macky Sall’s candidacy augurs a manifest desire to push him to try one too many terms. The honour of the word of the Head of State must be the most reliable source of the right of a people thirsting for ethics and virtues. More than anyone, Ismaila Madior Fall, who advised Wade to keep his word, has no right to preach the opposite in an identical political and electoral context. The interests of the people and of science must come before his own and those of his Chief.
By Khalifa Ababacar Gaye / kagaye@senenews.com
POLITICS
SENEGAL Moussa Tine: “We launch a solemn appeal to the diaspora for the International Exhibition of Investment of the African Diaspora – SIDIA
Exclusive interview with Moussa Tine, the Director General of Urbanism and Habit. From September 26 to 28, 2025, at the Domaine de Choully, Africa – and particularly Senegal goes to meet its diaspora. For three days, the event will bring together several hundred entrepreneurs, including 30 from Senegal, investors, policy makers and artists. It is an unprecedented exhibition that brings together strategic sectors such as housing, agriculture, but also industry and commerce.
Why involve the diaspora and why organize this International Diaspora Investment Fair? Why this fair?
This exhibition today is a moment of exchange, an indispensable meeting point for government policy and particularly the policy of these three sectors, namely housing, construction, agriculture, industry and commerce. It is these three ministries that bring together their strategies, their strengths, to go out to meet the diaspora. The diaspora plays a decisive, extremely important role in the country’s economy and in its socio-economic stability. It is an important moment, a decisive moment, a moment that will also help us to financially complete a number of projects that are underway, but also to give the opportunity to the nationals of the diaspora to contribute to the development of their country. Each ministry today develops projects and this fair is an opportunity to give the diaspora the necessary information, either to integrate these projects or to collaborate with the State in the context of public-private partnerships or direct investments under the auspices of the State. Here is, in a global manner, the object of the exhibition. Today, this the exhibition is a decisive moment, an important one, with challenges defined across the three sectors I have just mentioned.
Thus, what is the economic weight of the diaspora?
The weight of the diaspora is well established. Today, it plays a decisive role in our economy. The diaspora is strong and economically involved, not only in a family way, but also through local and international initiatives. Therefore, involving the diaspora means redefining its role in a strategic way, which must no longer be limited to family support but contribute directly to the development of the country. This can be done through financial investment projects through programmes structured by the Ministry of Urban Planning, Local Authorities and Spatial Planning. I take the example of the PNALRU (National Program for Access to Housing), a project designed and led by the Ministry of Urbanism. We know that most of our fellow citizens in the diaspora have a house or housing project because they want to invest in their home. But often, they do not have the necessary information to do it in a secure way, nor quality support. Projects like the PNALRU offer a secure framework at the level of land, construction, but also marketing, in a transparent manner. These are projects that the State has implemented and which allow the diaspora to have easier access to land, and to participate directly in the national economy. The diaspora complains about not having enough information on state initiatives. This exhibition is a way to reach out to her, to provide as much information as possible about ongoing projects and integration modalities. We know that a part of the diaspora already has the initiative to return or to work in collaboration with the State. This show will therefore be a B2B meeting, a space where the diaspora and the State will be able to meet, establish collaborative relationships, and create what I often call a “return ticket”, that is to say an opportunity for many Senegalese to prepare for a secure and planned return.
Mr. Director, what is the direct message you send to the diaspora, especially to that of Geneva, because the exhibition will take place there?
Yes, the exhibition will be held in Geneva. This choice does not come by chance. Geneva is a financial capital and a business hub. Organizing it there highlights a decisive point in the outcome of projects: the financial dimension and the technical dimension. The objective is that from this exhibition, not only do we provide the necessary information to the diaspora, but also that we mobilize its capital to encourage it to invest in real estate, agriculture and industry. Each ministry will present development projects that the diaspora can appropriate, whether in housing, agriculture or industry. These sectors are linked: industry supports habitat, habitat needs building materials, and agriculture requires infrastructure. This sectoral transversality will allow for maximum opportunities to be created for the diaspora. In Geneva, for three days, we will have exchanges, panels, permanent exhibitions (more than 30 planned), and B2B meetings between the state, professionals, the diaspora, and the private sector. The aim is to mobilize investors, experts and promoters to implement joint projects.
Who are the partners of this project?
In Senegal, we have the Ministry of Urbanism, Territorial Collectivities and Spatial Planning, which leads, with the Ministries of Industry and Trade, and Agriculture as co-organizers. We also work in partnership with Me Events, a structure specialized in the organization of events, and with partners in Geneva, such as the African Village Association and Afrique Néon.
Mr. Director, to conclude, what message do you want to send to the Senegalese in the diaspora?
I take this opportunity to make a solemn appeal to all our fellow citizens of the diaspora. This exhibition is made for you. Its objective is clear: to mobilize the diaspora, not only for its expertise, but also for its investments. Invest in yourself. Invest in Senegal. Invest in Africa. This fair is yours, make it your own, and make it a channel for communication and development. The success of this exhibition will be the success of the national policy towards the diaspora. Senegal comes to you, your country comes to you, in order to discuss your projects and those we develop here. Come in large numbers, because together we can ensure inclusive development where every contribution counts. Thank you and I hope to see you very soon at the Geneva exhibition, from September 26 to 28.
Initially scheduled for Wednesday, June 11, 2025, the major march of the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire – African Democratic Rally (PDCI-RDA), the main opposition party in Côte d’Ivoire, will finally take place on Saturday, June 14, 2025. This postponement was announced by the party’s Executive Secretary, who points out that the decision came after discussions between the PDCI leadership and the authorities of the Abidjan department. The details of these discussions have not been made public.
This demonstration, highly anticipated by the party’s activists and supporters, aims to support the candidacy of its president, Tidjane Thiam, in the presidential election of 2025, and to protest against his removal from the electoral list. A decision that the party qualifies as unfair and unacceptable, arguing for the right of all Ivorian citizens, including those with dual nationality, to participate in the political life of the country.
The route of the march remains unchanged: the protesters will leave from the SOCOCE space of the 2 Plateaux, in the municipality of Cocody, to head towards the headquarters of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI). The party calls for a strong peaceful mobilization in order to convey a clear message: demand inclusive, transparent and peaceful elections.
The removal of Tidjane Thiam and other opposition figures is mainly based on the issue of dual nationality, a legal provision that continues to be debated as the election approaches. The PDCI, which sees in Thiam a rally candidate capable of unifying the Ivorians, intends to make this march a highlight of its campaign and its democratic fight.
Photo credit: Tidiane Thiam page
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Morissanda Kouyaté, received this Sunday, June 1, 2025 in Conakry a delegation from the African Union, on an official visit to Guinea. On this occasion, he reaffirmed the commitment of the transitional authorities to respect the deadlines set for the return to constitutional order, while stressing the historical and central role of Guinea in the construction of the Pan-African project.
« I am very happy. The African Union is at Guinea’s side to accompany and support the vision of the head of state, President Mamadi Doumbouya, in favor of Guinea and Africa, in the political, diplomatic, economic, and cultural fields, declared the head of Guinean diplomacy.
This meeting takes place in a context marked by the preparations for the constitutional referendum scheduled for next September 21.
Morissanda Kouyaté also recalled the founding involvement of Guinea in the creation of the Organization of African Unity, which became the African Union. “This visit materializes the commitment of the Peace and Security Council to accompany Guinea in a dynamic of ambitious political and diplomatic transformation,” he stressed.
The minister indicated that all actions related to the transition are currently funded by the national development budget, while calling for a broader mobilization of the international community. “We have requested a round table, called the Basketfront, to seek support to speed up the process. But this does not mean that we will give up,” he said, reiterating President Doumbouya’s willingness to scrupulously respect the scheduled deadlines.
He finally wanted to reassure on the efforts made to ensure an inclusive electoral process. “We are going through a difficult period, and that is why we want all Guineans to be registered in order to obtain a reliable electoral roll,” concluded Morissanda Kouyaté.
Source: guinee360 / Photo credit: Page Ministry of Foreign Affairs Guinea
